Headgear with means for retaining eyewear

ABSTRACT

An article of headgear for enabling eyewear when not in use to be securely positioned thereon, the article of headgear having a plurality of apertures arranged and adapted to accept insertion of the frame stems of the eyewear. The frame stems are inserted through selected apertures to position the eyewear in a variety of locations about the headgear. The headgear may be worn in a variety of locations about the headgear, such as with a baseball cap worn with the brim extending backwardly or sideways from the wearer&#39;s head.

BACKGROUND

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts

1. Field of the Invention

The present device relates to headgear and more particularly to headgear providing means for supporting and retaining eyewear such as sunglasses or eyeglasses in a variety of positions on the headgear.

2. Prior Art

Persons wearing sunglasses or eyewear often put their eyewear on their person when not in use. One of the most popular ways of storing their eyewear is to wrap the frame stems, or sidepieces, of the eyewear securely around the crown of their own head. However, if wearing headgear of some kind (i.e. baseball cap, visor, etc.) the possibility of placing eyewear on the crown of one's head is somewhat diminished. For instance, in the case of a baseball cap wearers commonly mount eyewear onto the cap with the lens frame atop the brim of the cap and the frame stems, or sidepieces, extending rearward along the crown of the cap. The cap is also often worn in some other manner, such as backwards with the brim projecting rearward of the wearer's head, with the eyewear placed in some manner on the crown of the cap. However, eyewear placed on the cap in any manner is unstable and prone to falling away from the cap unless there is provided means for retaining the eyewear. This need has led to various methods for prevention of eyewear falling from the cap.

One such method for retaining eyewear onto a baseball cap is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,554 issued to Yan on Nov. 18, 2003. The method of Yan includes patches attached to the cap that define openings through which eyewear stems and/or end pieces pass to retain the glasses. Another method for retaining eyewear onto a baseball cap is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,495 issued to Totani on Oct. 9, 2001 wherein the cap is provided with an insertion aperture adapted to permit a stem of a pair of glasses to be inserted therein, positioned to each lateral side of the edge portion from the crown of the cap.

However, neither of these methods nor other known prior art methods disclosed the features of the applicant's invention. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide headgear having improved means for retaining eyewear in a variety of locations, such as on a baseball cap worn with the brim extending backwardly or sideways from the wearer's head. Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.

SUMMARY

To enable eyewear to be securely positioned in a variety of locations on an article of headgear, such as a baseball cap, there is provided a plurality of insertion openings, or apertures, around the crown of the headgear that are adapted to accept a frame stem and/or stem end piece of a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. The end pieces are inserted through the apertures and positioned between the crown of one's head and the inner surface of the crown of the headgear. This positioning of the end pieces enables the wearer to “feel” these ends on the crown of their head as these ends naturally wrap around the crown of their head in a secure manner. The apertures provide a means of entry for the end pieces to be securely positioned around the crown of one's head when placing eyewear on the outside of the headgear. The plurality of apertures permits the end pieces to be positioned through selected apertures for securely retaining eyewear on the headgear in a variety of locations around the crown. The variety of locations also provides that the headgear may be worn in a variety of ways, such as a baseball cap worn with the brim extending backwardly or sideways from the wearer's head.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball cap having apertures and method for securing eyewear to the crown of the cap when it is worn with the brim of the cap extending forwardly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 illustrating apertures and method for securing eyewear when the cap is worn with the brim extending backwardly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of vertically oriented apertures positioned around the periphery of the crown of the cap;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view the cap of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the invention having a plurality of slanted apertures;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 showing a head band positioned exterior of the cap;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a strap and brim, or croupier, headpiece that shows apertures and method for securing eyewear above the brim of the headpiece; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the headpiece of FIG. 6 showing apertures and method for securing eyewear rearward of the brim in an inverted manner.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings there is illustrated headgear such as a baseball cap with versatility in retaining eyewear such as eyeglasses and sunglasses thereon in accordance with the invention. It is to be understood that even though a baseball cap is shown and described, the teachings of the present invention apply equally well to other headgear.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball cap, generally designated 10, having apertures 14 (two shown) and method for securing eyewear 13 to the crown 11 of the cap 10 when it is worn with the brim 12 of the cap 10 attached to the front portion of the edge of the crown 11 and extending forwardly. Eyewear 13 is shown placed on the brim 12 with a portion of stem 13 a and stem curved end piece 13 b inserted into an aperture 14 such that the stem end piece 13 b and a portion of stem 13 a is captured within the aperture 14. In this manner frame end piece 13 b and a portion of the frame stem 13 a are captured and securely retained between the wearer's head and the inner surface of crown 11, the stems 13 a and stem end pieces 13 b abutting the temples of the wearer. On the other side of the crown 11 the other eyewear stem 13 a and stem end piece 13 b are likewise captured and retained. Thus, when not in use eyewear 13 are placed on the brim 12 with the stems 13 a and/or the stem ends 13 b inserted into selected apertures 14 in the crown 11 such that the eyewear stems 11 abut the temples of the wearer and are retained within the crown 11.

It is understood that even though only two apertures 14 are shown in FIG. 1, this is by way of illustration only, and that in accordance with the invention a plurality of apertures will be discussed. Further, even though the apertures 14 are shown vertically oriented other configurations will be discussed in accordance with the invention. Although not shown the end pieces 12 b could be extended to protrude back out of the crown 11 though a second aperture 14. It is also to be understood that the configuration of the crown 11 and apertures 14 permit the use of stems 13 a that do not have curved ends 13 b. The apertures may be of any size, configuration, number or location appropriate to the headgear in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the baseball cap 10 of FIG. 1 illustrating apertures and method for securing eyewear when the baseball cap 10 is worn with the brim extending backwardly from the head of the user. As seen the eyewear 13 is mounted securely to the backside of the cap 10 using selected apertures 14 (only two shown) as previously described. Further, although not shown, the end pieces 12 b could be extended to protrude back out of the crown 11 though a second aperture 14.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the baseball cap 10 of FIG. 1 having vertically oriented apertures on the outer edge of the crown 11 (one side shown) and method for securing eyewear 13 to the left side of cap 10 as previously described. It is to be understood that the eyewear 13 could as well be mounted and secured to the other side of the crown 11, or any other location on the crown, in accordance with the invention. The dotted line band 30 around the crown 11 indicates the preferred area for placement of the apertures 14.

FIG. 4 shows baseball cap 10 in an embodiment of the invention wherein the cap 10 has a plurality of slanted apertures (one side shown), apertures 14 a slanted to the right, and apertures 14 b shown slanted to the left. The apertures may thus be vertical, slanted, or oriented randomly as may be desired for a particular headgear configuration. Again, the dotted line band 30 around the crown indicates the preferred area for placement of the apertures 14, 14 a, 14 b.

FIG. 5 illustrates cap 10 having a head band 50 positioned around the outside of the crown of the cap 10 (one side shown). The head band 50 may include vertical, slanted, or a combination of oriented apertures as previously discussed. The stems 13 a and/or the stem ends 13 b are shown inserted into selected apertures 14, 14 a and 14 c in the head band crown 11 such that they are positioned between the band 30 and the crown 11. Head band 50 may be fixedly fitted to the crown 11 or as a separate piece placed around the crown 11 such that it may be slid, or rotated, around the crown 11 of the cap 10 to provide additional versatility in placement of the eyewear 13 on the cap 10. As a separate piece the head band 50 may be configured to be placed on the crown 11, removed, and replaced on the cap 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of croupier-type headgear, generally designated 60, that is configured in the form of a head strap 61 having a brim 12 a, the head strap 61 having openings and method for securing eyewear as previously discussed. Illustrated is hook and pile means for adjusting/fitting the headpiece 60 to the head of the user, although any appropriate method, such as a buckle for fitting the headpiece 60, is within the spirit and scope of the invention. The eyewear 13 is retained through the strap 61 using apertures 14 c in the manner as previously discussed. The headgear 60 may be configured such that the eyewear 13 may be mounted to the strap 61 above the brim 12 a, and as well to rest on top of the brim 12 a.

The headgear 60 may also be configured such that the eyewear 13 is retained through the strap 61 using apertures 14 c when the headgear 60 is worn with the brim 12 a extending backwardly of the head of the wearer in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates headgear 60 as worn with the brim 12 a extending forwardly from the head of the user, eyewear 13 being shown positioned on the rear of the headgear 60 in an upside-down, or inverted, manner and retained through strap 61 using apertures 14 c. Positioned in this manner, the wearer can with one hand re-position eyewear 13 to the usable position. This method of placement and retention can also be used on previously described headgear when eyewear 13 is positioned in the same manner as shown. The apertures can be of a single configuration or a combination of the configurations as previously discussed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. 

1. An article of headgear for enabling eyewear when not in use to be securely positioned thereon, comprising: said article of headgear having a plurality of apertures arranged and adapted to accept insertion of the frame stems of said eyewear; and wherein said frame stems are inserted through selected apertures of said article of headgear to securely retain said frame stems to thereby position said eyewear in a variety of locations about said article of headgear.
 2. The article of headgear of claim 1 comprising: a hat having a crown including a plurality of insertion apertures positioned in a variety of locations about the outside edge of said crown; said apertures adapted to accept the frame stems of eyewear; and wherein selected frame stems of said eyewear are inserted through selected apertures of said crown to securely retain said frame stems between the wearer's head and the inner surface of said crown to thereby position said eyewear in a variety of locations about the outside edge of said crown.
 3. The article of headgear of claim 2 comprising a baseball cap including said crown having a brim extending from said crown, said variety of locations of said apertures about said crown enabling said baseball cap to be worn with said brim extending from the head of the user in a variety of locations and ways while securely retaining said eyewear about said crown.
 4. The article of headgear of claim 1 comprising a head strap having a brim portion, said head strap having apertures for receiving said eyewear frame stems to thereby secure said eyewear to said strap,
 5. The article of headgear of claim 4 wherein said head strap is configured for mounting said eyewear to said strap above said brim.
 6. The article of headgear of claim 4 wherein said head strap is configured for mounting said eyewear to said strap opposite to the brim.
 7. The article of headgear of claim 6 wherein said eyewear is mounted in an upside down orientation.
 8. The article of headgear of claim 1 wherein said article of headgear comprises: a headband around the outer edge of said crown; said headband including a plurality of said apertures for insertion of said frame stems between said headband and the outer surface of said crown to thereby position said eyewear in a variety of locations about said crown.
 9. The headgear of claim 8 wherein said headband is fixedly attached about said crown.
 10. The headgear of claim 8 wherein said headband is rotatably fitted about said crown and is replaceable.
 11. A method for retaining eyewear on an article of headwear comprising: providing a hat having a crown; providing apertures in a variety of locations around said crown configured to receive a stem of said eyewear through said aperture between said crown and the head of the user to place and retain said eyewear in a selectable location on said crown.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said article of headwear is a baseball cap.
 13. The method of claim 12 for retaining eyewear on an article of headwear wherein said crown includes a brim extending therefrom and said variety of locations of said apertures about said crown enables said baseball cap to be worn with said brim extending from the head of the user in a variety of locations and ways while securely retaining said eyewear about said crown.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said brim extends forwardly of the head of the user and said apertures are configured and located to provide positioning of said eyewear on the rear of the users head with said eyewear attached in an upside down orientation.
 15. The method of claim 8 for retaining eyewear on an article of headwear wherein there is provided a headband around the exterior of said crown, said headband including a plurality of said apertures for insertion of said frame stems between said headband and the outer surface of said crown to thereby position said eyewear in a variety of locations about said crown.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said headband is fixedly attached about said crown.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein said headband is rotatably fitted about the outside edge of said crown and is replaceable.
 18. A hat for retaining eyewear, the hat comprising a crown having a plurality of apertures in a variety of locations around the periphery of said crown, said apertures able to selectably receive a frame stem of said eyewear through said apertures whereby said eyewear is retainable in a selectable location about said crown.
 19. The hat of claim 18 wherein said hat is a baseball-type cap having a brim extending from said crown, said variety of locations of said apertures around the periphery of said crown enabling said baseball cap to be worn with said brim extending from the head of the user in a variety of locations and ways while securely retaining said eyewear about said crown.
 20. The hat of claim 18 wherein said brim extends forwardly of the head of the user and said apertures are configured and located to provide positioning of said eyewear on the rear of the users head with said eyewear attached in an upside down orientation. 